Transfer Window: CLOSED!

The Premier League transfer window just closed, at 6 p.m. Eastern on Friday, and Tottenham sealed a deal for Fulham's American star Clint Dempsey just in the nick of time.

Dempsey made it clear all summer he wanted to leave Fulham for a team with a better shot at the Champions League. He was hoping to land at Liverpool, but the two clubs couldn't agree on a price. Aston Villa wanted Dempsey, but he didn't want them. Enter Tottenham in the 11th hour. They had money to spend after getting hefty transfer fees for Rafael van der Vaart (moved back to former German club Hamburg) and Luka Modric (moved to Real Madrid). They also sent Mexican forward Giovani Dos Santos on loan to Mallorca.

The fact that five teams were bidding on an American midfielder is a major sign of progress for US Soccer.